Precarn Inc has awarded $2.1 million in funding for 14 collaborative R&D projects related to the digital economy. The 14 start-up companies receiving funds through Precarn's T-GAP Program have assembled 17 other firms that will serve as end-users as well as 14 academic research partners. The projects span a wide range of intelligent systems and robotics technologies in the areas of building automation, educational software, computer-based healthcare prescriptions, underwater inspection vehicles and a sensor system for rubber manufacturing. T-GAP was first developed to assist start-up companies stemming from the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, a Network of Centres of Excellence managed by Precarn from 1989 to 2006. It is designed for very small firms and provides a maximum of $75,000 for up to 75% of total costs for projects lasting nine months or less….